Shoprite’s presence in Nigeria is dwindling fast, nearly four years after the South African retail powerhouse pulled out of the country’s supermarket sector.
According to Daily Trust, stores in Ibadan and Ilorin have already shuttered, while remaining outlets in Lagos, Abuja, and other cities are marked by barren shelves and dwindling foot traffic.
The brand first entered Nigeria in 2005 with a flagship store in Lagos, eventually expanding to over 25 locations across eight states and the Federal Capital Territory. ‘
It became a staple in urban retail, employing more than 2,000 people and fostering partnerships with local suppliers, particularly farmers.
However, Nigeria’s economic headwinds, soaring inflation, persistent supply chain issues, and fierce competition have chipped away at Shoprite’s market dominance, pushing its operations into financial distress.
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Shoprite’s parent company had already begun refocusing on its core South African market, adopting a franchise model and exiting several African countries, including Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, and Uganda.
In 2021, after 16 years in Nigeria, Shoprite sold its operations to a consortium of local investors, citing the increasingly difficult business climate as the driving force behind its departure.
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